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These festive tree-shaped cookies bring holiday vibes right into your kitchen. They’re buttery with a soft yet crunchy bite and a gentle sweet flavor that goes great with bright green icing and colorful sprinkles. Whether you’re baking with the family or gifting them to friends, these treats really capture the season’s happiness in every bite.
These were my holiday go-tos that brought everyone together. Decorating them turned into a sweet and fun tradition that lit up chilly winter nights.
Ingredients List
- Butter (unsalted): soft and creamy for rich flavor and flaky texture
- Flour (all-purpose): gives the right balance of softness and firmness, unbleached works best
- Sugar (granulated): adds sweetness and helps cookies brown lightly, fresh crystals are ideal
- One egg (large): holds everything together and adds moisture, use at room temp
- Vanilla extract: brings classic flavor, pure stuff tastes best
- Baking powder: lifts cookies gently without making them fluffy
- Salt: boosts all flavors, fine sea salt spreads evenly
- Green icing: adds festive color, pick buttery or royal depending on what you like
- Colored sprinkles: give bright spots of color and crunch
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get the Oven Ready
- Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so the cookies bake evenly with a nice, delicate crunch.
- Beat Butter and Sugar
- Mix the softened butter and sugar in a bowl until fluffy and light. This makes the dough smooth and sweet enough.
- Mix in Egg and Vanilla
- Add your egg and vanilla to the butter-sugar mix. Stir just enough to blend flavors and moisture evenly.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients
- In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt thoroughly to keep the dough texture even.
- Combine Both Mixtures
- Slowly fold the dry stuff into the wet mix. Don’t overdo it or the dough might turn tough. Stop once it’s blended well.
- Roll Out and Cut Shapes
- Lightly dust your surface with flour and roll the dough out about a quarter-inch thick. Use a Christmas tree cutter to make shapes.
- Place and Bake
- Put the shapes on an ungreased pan with some space between. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are softly golden.
- Cool Before Decorating
- Move cookies to a rack and cool fully so icing doesn’t melt or slide off.
One of the best parts for me is watching little ones carefully place sprinkles on top. The joy and creativity shared during holiday baking makes the whole thing feel magical every time.
Tips for Storing
Keep your decorated cookies fresh in an airtight box, layering them with wax paper so they don’t stick but stay crisp. They’re best eaten within five days at room temp. For longer keeping, freeze the undecorated ones wrapped tight, then decorate after thawing to keep icing perfect.
Swap It Up Ideas
Mix in some almond meal with the flour for a gentle nutty twist. Try swapping green icing for colored royal icing if you want a shiny, hard finish. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the dough can add cozy, warm spice notes.
Tasty Pairings
These cookies are awesome with a warm cup of spiced cider or cozy hot chocolate. They go well with festive eggnog or bubbly wine for grown-up parties. Fresh cranberries or simple fruit sauce also bring out their holiday spirit.
Seasonal Twists
After decorating dust a little powdered sugar for a snowy effect. Use white icing and silver edible balls for a classy Nordic vibe. In spring or summer, switch to flower cutters and pastel icing for a fun seasonal spin.
Baking these tree cookies is a cozy tradition turning simple stuff into warm fun. Every bite is full of holiday flavor and the feeling of being together right in your own kitchen.
Frequently Asked Cooking Questions
- → What type of flour is best to use?
All-purpose flour is a great pick since it makes cookies that are soft but strong enough to cut into shapes.
- → How do I make sure the cookies hold their shape?
Pop the dough in the fridge for a bit before rolling it out. That helps the cookies keep their crisp tree shapes while baking.
- → Can I decorate the cookies with other toppings?
Definitely! Besides green icing and sprinkles, try melted chocolate, edible glitter, or nuts for a fun twist.
- → What is the best way to store these cookies?
Once decorated, keeping them in a sealed container keeps them fresh and stops the icing from getting soft.
- → How long should I bake the cookies?
Bake them at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes. That gets the edges lightly browned and the inside soft.